Accident to the FLIGHT DESIGN – CTLS-ELA registered F-HVAT on 18 June 2021 at Col des Prés, in the commune of Thoiry
Tentative de demi-tour avant le passage d’un col, collision avec des arbres puis avec le sol, incendie, en instruction
After carrying out two aerodrome circuits at Annecy-Meythet, the student-pilot and the instructor headed in the direction of Chambéry - Challes-les-Eaux to make the studentpilot’s first cross-country flight. The instructor knew the region of Challes-les-Eaux as he had carried out glider flights and mountain flights there several years before.
They made the cross-country flight by the west, over the plain, and performed a full-stop landing at Chambéry - Challes-les-Eaux before taking off again in the direction of Annecy, navigating using natural or artificial references in the Bauges Mountains located to the east.
A few minutes after take-off, the aeroplane made a complete left-hand turn in the vicinity of Thoiry, probably to gain altitude before entering the valley leading to Col des Prés pass. The aeroplane then flew at low height in the centre of the valley downwind of a crest. The area could be subject to turbulence or downdrafts, strong enough to negatively impact an aeroplane’s climb performance.
Probably realising, after bypassing the ridge, that the aeroplane’s altitude was not sufficient to clear the pass, the pilots attempted a right-hand turn-around during which the aeroplane collided with the vegetation then the ground. A fire broke out immediately on impact.